Premier League to adopt ‘only the captain’ rule in referees approach

Only captains will be allowed to approach referees during Premier League matches from next season.

The top flight is set to adopt new guidelines – approved by the game’s law-makers, the International Football Association Board (IFAB), in March – that state only one player from each team, usually the captain, is allowed the approach the match official.

Under the regulations, referees can instruct players not to approach them, and show yellow cards to those who do so without permission and behave in a disrespectful manner.

In the event that a team’s captain is a goalkeeper, clubs will provide an alternative representative before kick-off.

This does not, though, prevent players from speaking to referees at other points during games.

Although Premier League clubs are still being consulted, the rules are expected to be ratified at the Premier League annual general meeting next month and introduced at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

IFAB will include the guidance in the 2025-26 Laws of the Game, effective from 1 July 2025.

An IFAB spokesperson told BBC Sport: “At this stage, they are not a compulsory part of the Laws of the Game, although Ifab strongly recommends their adoption at all levels following their successful implementation by Uefa and various national FAs and competitions.”

The Women’s Super League – controlled by Women’s Super League Football (WSL Football) – could also adopt the guidance.

During Uefa competitions this season, the signal used to indicate the use of ‘only the captain’ guidelines is one arm extended, showing the flat of the hand.

“This signal may be adopted by other competitions, but currently there is no mandatory signal at the highest levels of the game, as different countries may have varying views on what signal best suits their football environment,” added an IFAB spokesperson.

The governing body added it will review this further to determine whether a standard signal should be introduced in the future.

In junior, veterans, disability and grassroots football, referees will signal a captain-only zone by raising both arms above their head and crossing them at the wrists.

Uncrossing their arms and moving them in front of their body with their palms open in a forward pushing motion will indicate players must not approach them.

The zone will extend for four metres (four-and-a-half yards) around the official.

It’s no secret referees and officials at all levels of the game are facing more abuse than ever before.

In 2023, the Premier League, the FA, EFL and the referees’ governing body, PGMOL, introduced a new ‘participant behaviour charter’ which gave referees new powers to issue yellow and red cards where behaviour fell below expected standards.

Despite that, serious allegations relating to the assault and attempted assault of match officials in English grassroots football in 2023-24 increased by 32% from the previous season.

Trials of body cameras on referees are also being carried out.

In March, IFAB said the aim of the new guidance is to “prevent major confrontations” and reduce intimidation of officials by “creating a secure and calm zone around the referee”.